Chapter 709: Invitation (Edited)

The relaxing break that Ron, and most sixth-year students, eagerly anticipated lasted only one week.

From the second week onward, the professors gradually showed them why N.E.W.T.s were called "Unpleasantly Exhausting Magical Tests."

Even those taking at least four subjects felt overwhelmed by the workload.

Of course, this didn't include Fish.

Starting in sixth year, most of the tasks assigned by the professors were more practical. For example, in addition to Snape's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, they also had to use silent spells in Charms and Transfiguration.

It was not uncommon to see the sixth-years in the common room or during meals, their faces red with frustration, battling with themselves as they spent all their time practicing the art of making spells work without speaking.

In addition to the head-scratching assignments, the content of their classes was much more difficult to grasp, and most of them couldn't immediately absorb the day's lessons. Even Hermione sometimes had to ask the professor to repeat what they said in class one or two times to understand.

So, most sixth-year students had to return to their books after class to review and consolidate or ask their peers, older students, and professors about their latest assignments.

"Now I finally understand why sixth-year students got used to gathering immediately after our training or rushed toward the seventh-year students..."

During a meeting of the Order of the Cat, Harry and his sixth-year companions spontaneously gathered and discussed what they had been doing in class lately.

Ginny, who was in fifth year but still attended, looked at Harry and quietly said, "You're talking about Cho Chang and Cedric, aren't you? Actually, you could go see Cho Chang now. Her grades are good, and she's a Ravenclaw."

"Ahem!" Harry cleared his throat, not taking the bait but wisely changing the subject. "Oh... speaking of that, the Quidditch tryouts are this weekend. Are you ready for your flying broom?"

Ginny pursed her lips, suppressing her jealousy, and no longer bothered Harry.

"George and Fred are doing well. They even bought me a Nimbus," Ginny said, a little excited about Quidditch. "It's the latest Nimbus 2008. It's not as good or as expensive as the Firebolt, but it's the second-best broom on the market!"

"It's not just a good business, they've started threatening Gambol and Japes' Magical Joke Shop, which has been in Diagon Alley for hundreds of years!" Ron said enviously, "I would love to work there after I graduate."

Ginny looked at her brother without understanding.

...

Soon, the weekend arrived again, and after breakfast, half of the Gryffindor house, from first to seventh year, had gathered. Not even a drizzle could dampen their enthusiasm for Quidditch.

Of course, Fish wasn't there, not to mention his lack of interest in Quidditch and the fact that it was Saturday, so Fish couldn't have gotten up so early.

It wasn't until ten in the morning, halfway through Harry and the others' trials, that Fish yawned and sat up from his bunk with messy hair.

"Nya~"

(Φω???)

Fish rubbed his eyes and licked his lips, then shook his head so forcefully that his disheveled hair straightened out.

Then, Fish propped his hands on the bed, with his bottom up in the air, and stretched like a cat in human form. Mid-stretch, the discomfort caused by the difference in skeletal structure finally made Fish, who was still a bit confused, realize that something was wrong.

Quickly changing into his cat form, he finished the stretch, sat on the bed, and began grooming his fur.

After spending nearly twenty minutes grooming his fur, Fish transformed back into his human form, changed his clothes, and cast a cleaning spell before leaving the dormitory.

"Fish, good morning." Hermione was already waiting for him in the common room with a book in her arms.

"Hermione~ good morning nya~"

●ω●

Fish pounced on her, hugging her and rubbing against her cheek.

"First, breakfast," Hermione said as she pulled out about three portions of food from her bag, "We'll have lunch in a few minutes, so you can use these to fill up a bit."

"That's fine nya~"

Fish immediately took a seat next to Hermione and, as usual, settled for the "breakfast" she brought.

After finishing his 'breakfast,' Fish was obediently taken by Hermione to do his homework.

Although there were only five classes and not much writing work, Fish was entertained until lunchtime, without finishing his assignments, and during that time, Hermione had already completed seven classes' worth of writing work.

"It's time for lunch, nya!"

(?ω?)

As soon as lunchtime arrived, Fish dropped his quill, grabbed Hermione's hand, and ran to the Great Hall.

After lunch, he would have free time to move around, and it wouldn't be until after dinner that Hermione would stop him for two hours of homework... unless Fish managed to waste at least half of that time, in which case his actual homework would only take an hour.

Unless there were special circumstances, like taking the new members of the Order of the Cat to the Forbidden Forest last week, Fish's weekend routine was pretty much the same.

Today wouldn't have been an exception as neither Fish nor Hermione had any other plans.

However, after overhearing other students talking about the morning auditions and finishing their lunch, Fish and Hermione were intercepted by Slughorn.

Harry and Ginny were also approached by him.

"Fish, Harry, just the people I was hoping to see!" he exclaimed excitedly, toying with the tips of his walrus mustache and puffing out his belly. "How about you come to my office for a light dinner tonight? We'll have a little party with a few rising stars. I've invited McLaggen, Malfoy, Zabini, and the charming Melinda Bobbin... I'm not sure if you know her, she runs a great chain of pharmacies... and, of course, I'd love for Miss Granger and Miss Weasley to come as well."

Slughorn concluded, giving a slight bow to Hermione and Ginny, but ignoring Ron, who was also standing nearby, and Neville, who had been invited and wasn't even acknowledged.

"You didn't invite Neville last time, did you?"

?ω?

Fish furrowed his brow, pointing at Neville beside him.

"Ah... Mr. Longbottom..." Slughorn raised his eyebrows as if he had just noticed Neville, then quickly glanced at him before averting his gaze and turning back to Fish amiably. "Sure, if you want to bring some friends along, Fish, that's no problem."

He still didn't invite Neville, but he classified him as one of Fish's "accessories."

Although Neville had been doing better in school since his parents recovered, he was still so ordinary that after two weeks of knowing him, Slughorn quickly excluded him from his objectives.

Neville had always had a good-natured disposition, even a bit soft, but he couldn't stand being belittled by Slughorn.

So, with a stern and cold expression, he said, "No, I'd rather have dinner in the Great Hall."

With that, Neville nodded to Fish and the others, then headed upstairs without looking back.

"Wait for me, Neville, I'll come with you."

The fact that his friend and sister had been invited while he had been ignored by Slughorn made Ron, who was already somewhat vain, feel very embarrassed and uncomfortable. So after seeing Neville leave, Ron, with a sullen face since a while ago, immediately followed him.

However, Slughorn showed complete indifference to their reactions, not even bothering to give them an extra glance. Instead, he continued to smile at Fish, awaiting his response.

Not liking his behavior, Fish was about to say no again when he felt a subtle nudge in his ribs from Hermione.

Then Fish, who had already opened his mouth, immediately changed his tone and said, "Well, Fish will be there tonight."

(?ω?)

But his tone of voice and expression weren't very pleasant, and he seemed reluctant.